Athletics vs. Astros Pick
Can the Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics manage to put up enough runs to hit the over tonight at 8:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Houston is the favorite at home, as the Astros are getting odds of -205 to win. Oakland is listed with a money line of +190 to prevail, while the over/under total for the contest has been set at 9 runs. Houston has won seven of the last 10 in this series and the two have hit the over in three of their last four meetings.
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The pitching matchup tonight has Dallas Keuchel (10-2, 2.77 ERA) on the mound for the Astros to face Sean Manaea (8-7, 4.59) of the Athletics. Keuchel looked to get back on track in his last start, allowing just one run over 6.2 innings against the Rangers. He has 83 strikeouts with 29 walks and a 1.12 WHIP. Manaea has struggled lately, allowing at least six runs in his last three starts. He has 112 strikeouts this season with 42 walks and a 1.37 WHIP.
The Athletics are coming off a series loss to the Royals and they have dropped six of their last nine games. Oakland is now 53-68 overall, 19-37 on the road and 66-51 with the over. Oakland is averaging 4.44 runs per game while allowing 5.28 runs per contest. The Athletics are being led by Jed Lowrie, who has 38 doubles with 10 home runs and 42 RBI. Khris Davis is adding 33 home runs and 86 RBI.
Houston is coming off a four-game split with the Diamondbacks. The Astros are just 3-7 in their last 10 games. Houston is now 74-47 overall, 34-26 at home and 63-50 with the over. The Astros are putting up 5.71 runs per game this season while allowing 4.41 runs per contest. Jose Altuve is leading the team with a .361 average. He has 35 doubles with 18 home runs, 66 RBI and 26 stolen bases. George Springer is adding 28 home runs and 70 RBI.
Keuchel has the potential for a lockdown showing, but I am still not sure he is back to his old form. I could see Oakland putting up a few runs on Houston. I think the Astros will light up Manaea, who has really been a mess lately. Look for another 6-run performance against him as the Astros lead the way to hitting the over.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: ATHLETICS/ASTROS OVER 9